On Tuesday evening, Aachen became a gathering place for European royalty. The opening ceremony of the FEI Championships brought together several prominent figures, including Crown Princess Amalia of the Netherlands, Queen Mary of Denmark, Zara Tindall, Infanta Elena of Spain, and Princess Benedikte of Denmark.
Amid the purple carpet, stadium atmosphere, and festive dinner, Amalia stood out. The 22-year-old had spent much of the day watching the competitions and mingling with spectators. At the gala, she appeared both relaxed and remarkably poised.
Crown Princess Amalia Reveals Scar from Horseback Riding Accident
It wasn’t just Amalia’s elegant striped dress by Nina Blanc that caught attention—it was also a deeply personal moment. According to host Hermann Bühlbecker, he asked the princess about her horseback riding accident last year. She then showed him the long scar on her left upper arm.
Amalia rides to the stadium in a historic carriage
Another highlight for the Dutch heir to the throne was the ride in the golden carriage, the Crème Calèche, built in 1898. She made her entrance into the nearly sold-out stadium in it.
"I think it's absolutely wonderful to be here today. Since I love equestrian sports so much, I'm naturally very happy to be here, to pet the horses a little, and to cheer on the Dutch riders," Amalia said loudly Algemeen Dagblad. The fact that she was so prominently featured at the gala underscored her close connection to equestrian sports.
Queen Mary Appears in a Recycled Diane von Furstenberg Dress
Queen Mary also sent a clear message in Aachen. She arrived without much fanfare and wore a Diane von Furstenberg dress that she had already worn on previous official occasions. She went to dinner with Amalia and spoke there with, among others, Research Minister Dorothee Bär, reports Image.
Zara Tindall and Infanta Elena Speak Out Clearly
Zara Tindall appeared dressed entirely in black, drawing attention to the athletic spirit of the event. "I'm not here because of the royal guests, but because I won here myself 20 years ago," made her face Image Sure.
Infanta Elena also spoke openly about the family context of her visit and her connection to Princess Benedikte, her godmother, who was also a guest.
After a dinner of lobster and beef tenderloin prepared by Johann Lafer, the royal guests celebrated the opening alongside thousands of visitors. Singer Yvonne Catterfeld kicked off the gala by performing the national anthem. In the end, however, Princess Amalia outshone everyone with her appearance.
